US deploys special forces and aircraft closer to Venezuela

US massively deploys special forces and aircraft closer to Venezuela - WSJ

The United States is carrying out a large-scale redeployment of aviation and special forces closer to Venezuela. This was reported by The Wall Street Journal citing sources in the defence ministry.

Details of tipping

According to the publication, such movements have been recorded in recent days:

• from the airbase Cannon in the state of New Mexico, at least 10 CV-22 Osprey aircraft, The US Special Operations Forces have been using them for a number of years;

• to Puerto Rico heavy transport aircraft arrived C-17, that took off from the bases Fort Stewart і Fort Campbell;

• aviation transported military personnel and equipment, However, the details of the mission are not officially disclosed.

Departments involved

Cannon Air Force Base is home to 27th Special Operations Regiment of the US Air Force. Fort Campbell is home to 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and 101st Airborne Division.

These divisions specialise in:

• high risk transactions;

• infiltration and exfiltration;

• evacuation missions;

• combat support and rapid response.

Context.

The increased US military activity in the Caribbean comes amid rising tensions over Venezuela. The Pentagon has not yet provided any official explanation for the purpose of the deployment, but the scale of the operation suggests Preparing for rapid response or show of force scenarios.